New York calls up Luke Kornet from NBA G League

Following the New York Knicks’ big win against the surging Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night, head coach Dave Fizdale intends to do so more tinkering on his squad. Big man Luke Kornet is reportedly set to get a call up from the G League as the team looks to add more reinforcements down low.

Luke Kornet has been called up from the G League and is placed on the active list tonight, moving Ron Baker to inactive.

Kornet is a 7-foot-1 center who went undrafted in last season’s Draft. He signed a two-way contract with the Knicks last summer and made a total of 20 appearances in the 2017-18 season. In that span, the Vanderbilt product averaged 6.7 points (on 39.2 percent shooting), 1.4 three-pointers, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 0.8 blocks in 16.2 minutes of action.

Kornet has been killing it in the G League of late with the Knicks’ affiliate team, the Westchester Knicks. The 23-year-old is currently putting up 18.2 points (on 48.5 percent shooting), 2.9 three-pointers, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.6 blocks in 32.6 minutes per ballgame.

Coach Fizdale and his staff have taken notice of Kornet’s outstanding play, and have rewarded him with a call up to the big league. However, we are currently unsure how (or if) Fizdale intends to incorporate Kornet into his rotation, but having a reserve big that can stretch the floor should work in the team’s favor.

Third year man Ron Baker will be asked to give up his spot in the roster to make room for Kornet. Baker will likely be assigned to the G League, and effectively swap places with Kornet until further notice.